With the conflict unfolding in Ukraine over the past several weeks and months now coming to a head, the world has been waiting in tense anticipation for the potential outbreak of war in Europe. As Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened, postured and rattled his saber over Ukraine’s sovereignty, particularly the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine that he has declared Russian territory, many may be wondering what’s motivating the implacable, impenetrable former KGB agent and FSB head Putin. Helpfully, there are ways to learn more about the recent history of Putin and Ukraine…